The Steelers are now on the clock to determine the next five years of their franchise.

Ben Roethlisberger's contract expires at the end of the 2015 season, which means he likely won't go into the beginning of the 2015 season without some long-term security.

He obviously picked a fantastic deadline year. Roethlisberger had 4,952 yards, a career high, and tied a career best in touchdown passes with 32. His on-field chemistry with Antonio Brown, a sixth-round pick in 2010, pulled the Steelers' offense out of the doldrums and propelled them to a division title.

With no promising quarterbacks coming out in the draft anytime soon and with Roethlisberger looking five years younger in Todd Haley's new offense, there's more than enough reason to believe that Pittsburgh has him retire as a member of the Steelers.

Could the deal be similar to that of Jay Cutler's? Roethlisberger has certainly earned the right to more guaranteed money after three Super Bowl trips and is just a year older than the Bears' quarterback.

At the least, Mike Tomlin seems to have a sense of how important Roethlisberger is.

Tomlin: "franchise quarterback" term is overused. Said it gives impression 1/2 the NFL has one. Tomlin: "We all know that's not the case."